Spanish Restaurant Phrases: How to Order Food
A restaurant is one of the best places to practice Spanish, because the conversation is short and predictable. Learn a few phrases for each step, from arriving to paying, and you can handle a whole meal in Spanish.
Quick answer
- Ask for a table: Una mesa para dos, por favor.
- Order politely with quisiera or me gustaría: Quisiera una sopa, por favor.
- Ask for the bill: La cuenta, por favor.
Arriving and getting a table
When you arrive, the host will say ¿Cuántos son? (How many are you?). Reply with the number: Somos dos. If you want to see the menu, ask for la carta or el menú.
Examples
- Una mesa para dos, por favor.A table for two, please.Asking for a table.
- ¿Tiene una mesa en la terraza?Do you have a table on the terrace?Asking for a preference.
- ¿Me trae el menú, por favor?Could you bring me the menu, please?Polite request.
- Tengo una reservación a nombre de López.I have a reservation under López.Reservación is common in Mexico; reserva elsewhere.
Ordering food and drinks
To order, use quisiera (I would like), me gustaría (I would like), or quiero (I want). Quiero is not rude, but quisiera sounds a bit softer. For drinks, you may be asked ¿Qué desea tomar?. For water, say agua sin gas or agua con gas (without or with bubbles).
Examples
- Quisiera una sopa de tortilla, por favor.I would like a tortilla soup, please.Quisiera is polite.
- Para mí, unos tacos de pollo.For me, some chicken tacos.Short and natural.
- ¿Qué me recomienda?What do you recommend?Asking for a suggestion.
- Un agua sin gas, por favor.A still water, please.Water without bubbles.
- Sin picante, por favor.Not spicy, please.Useful in Mexico.
During the meal
The waiter may ask ¿Todo bien? or ¿Les gustó?. You can answer Todo está delicioso. If something is wrong, politely say Disculpe, esto está frío (excuse me, this is cold).
Examples
- Todo está delicioso, gracias.Everything is delicious, thank you.A friendly reply.
- Disculpe, ¿me puede traer más salsa?Excuse me, could you bring me more salsa?Asking for more.
- Esto no es lo que pedí.This is not what I ordered.Polite correction.
- Soy alérgico al cacahuate.I am allergic to peanuts.Allergies. Say alérgica if you are a woman.
Paying the bill
To ask for the bill, say la cuenta, por favor. You can ask ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? to pay by card. A tip, la propina, is customary in Mexico. A common range is 10 to 15 percent, and some places already add it to the bill, so check first.
Examples
- La cuenta, por favor.The bill, please.The standard phrase.
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?Can I pay with a card?Card payments.
- ¿Está incluida la propina?Is the tip included?Check before tipping.
- Quédese con el cambio.Keep the change.A polite way to leave a tip.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico you may hear ¿Qué va a ordenar? and la carta or el menú. In Spain, ¿Qué van a tomar? and la carta are more common, and many people share plates, called raciones or tapas.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Yo quiero la cuenta ahora.
Correct: La cuenta, por favor.
Add por favor. It keeps your request polite and natural.
Incorrect: Soy hambriento.
Correct: Tengo hambre.
Hunger uses tener, not ser.
Incorrect: Quiero una propina.
Correct: Quiero dejar una propina.
Use dejar for “to leave” a tip.
Incorrect: ¿Puedo tener la carta?
Correct: ¿Me trae la carta, por favor?
Spanish usually asks someone to bring something with traer.
Remember the steps
- Ask for a table with una mesa para…, por favor.
- Order with quisiera or me gustaría, and add por favor.
- Close with la cuenta, por favor, and leave a tip if the service was good.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between carta and menú?
Both mean the menu. In some places, menú also means a fixed-price set meal, like menú del día.
How do I say I am vegetarian?
Say Soy vegetariano (man) or Soy vegetariana (woman). Then ask ¿Tiene algo sin carne?.
How much should I tip in Mexico?
A common tip is 10 to 15 percent. Check whether the bill already includes service.
What does ‘para llevar’ mean?
Para llevar means “to go” or “takeout.” Say Es para llevar, por favor..
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